The United States has reportedly dropped objections against the sale of Israeli fighter planes to Austria, but Austrian authorities have not yet made up their minds whether they really want them.
Government sources said the U.S. National Security Council indicated it was prepared to lift a ban of sales of Israeli-made Kfir (Young Lion) fighters to Austria. American authorities up to now stopped all sales of Kfir planes abroad because they contained highly sophisticated U.S.-made equipment.
However, Austria was not sure whether it should accept the offer. The Austrian army wants to buy 20 new fighter planes to defend its air space more efficiently. The Kfir planes, after extensive tests, were considered the best choice. But government officials indicated today they are afraid the purchase of Israeli planes may harm political and trade relations with Arab countries.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
